25 Years Walking With Jesus

Today is October 11th, 2021. 25 years ago, at the age of 18 in 1996, I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I actually don’t remember the exact date, but I know it was a Friday in October, and I’m pretty sure it was the second Friday that month, which was the 11th. It was the day my life changed forever when God took a confused and hurting teenager, and turned me into a Gospel preaching man of God. God has been so good and faithful to me, and I give Him all the glory and praise as I celebrate my salvation anniversary!

When the Lord called me and drew me near, I was utterly lost in the darkness of drugs and alcohol. I loved to party, and I hated God and Christians. Thinking back to who I was, and how God still loved me and wanted to save me reminds me of a famous verse in Romans.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” -Romans 5:8

I am so grateful for God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness! The depth and power of His love is truly great and beyond comprehension! Nothing in my entire life compares to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus! Thank You, Lord!

1996 was my freshman year in college. I had just come from a terrifying ordeal that lasted 4 years all through high school, and I desperately needed the Lord. Many of you have read my book and you know my testimony. For those who don’t, those 4 years were horrific. My family was not saved at that time. In the middle of my 8th grade year we moved to Illinois, and we ended up living in a house that was possessed by a demon. It was an extremely dark time for us, and it almost ruined our lives. You can read all about it in my book, “One Man’s Very Strange Supernatural Life.” I have also written about it here on my blog. Check out my post:

“Remember that time when…”

I have indeed had a very strange supernatural life. Even now, I don’t fully understand why, but for whatever reason God decided to use the spiritual realm to save my soul and strengthen my faith. Two years after accepting Jesus, the supernatural events continued when I had two miraculous encounters with angels in the summer of 1998. Then in 2012 I suffered anaphylactic shock, which caused me to stop breathing and die for a short time. I left my body in the Spirit, I was with Jesus for a moment in perfect peace, then He put me back in my body in the powerful wind of the Holy Spirit. The last 25 years have been truly amazing to say the least!

One thing I have learned without a doubt is that nothing is impossible for God. He can do anything at anytime, and He will do more than all you can ask or imagine! Jesus Christ is Lord, and He is alive! He is still the Resurrection and the Life, and He still performs miracles on earth! I give You praise, Lord!

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” -John 11:25-26

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” -Ephesians 3:20-21

“For nothing is impossible with God.” -Luke 1:37

If you would like to know more about the day I stopped breathing and came back to life, check out my post:

My Lazarus Moment

I don’t know why all these amazing things have happened to me (and I stopped asking why a long time ago), but I do know God wants to use it for His glory to help people come to Jesus. People need hope, especially now in these dark times we are living in. I am here to tell you there is still hope! A great hope and joy that overcomes this dark world! God loves you and He wants to save your soul! He loves us so much that He gave us His Son to die for our sins, so we could be forgiven and spend eternity in Heaven! That my friends is the greatest hope of all!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” -Jesus speaking in John 3:16

Another thing I have learned in my 25 year walk with Jesus is that everything in the Bible is true. The angels, the demons, the miracles, Jesus dying for us and raising to life, all of it! It’s all true! God’s Holy Word is His love letter to us, and every word in it is inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is living and active among us, and reading His Word will change your life in the best way possible!

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” -Hebrews 4:12-13

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” -Jesus praying in John 17:17

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” -2 Peter 1:20-21

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” -2 Timothy 3:16-17

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” -John 8:31-32

God’s Word will lead you to the salvation of your soul and set you free! We all need forgiveness for our sins. Nobody is perfect. The Bible says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The great news of the Gospel is that God freely offers salvation to us by His grace through faith in Jesus. Eternal life in Heaven is the greatest gift God offers all of us. Do not make the grave mistake of rejecting that precious gift! Come to Jesus today and receive His beautiful mercy, grace, forgiveness, and love. He will accept you as His own and save your soul!

“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” -Romans 3:21-24

“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” -Romans 10:9-13

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.” -Ephesians 2:8-9

Most of all, I have learned that Jesus is loving and faithful, and we can trust Him 100% to fulfill all His promises. I have not always been faithful to the Lord over the last 25 years, but He has been absolutely faithful to me. Where I have failed, He has corrected me, forgiven me, and picked me up again. He has never left me or forsaken me, and He never will. Jesus is pure love and devotion, and you will never know a greater love or faithfulness.

If you do not know Jesus, I pray the Lord opens your mind and heart to the truth, draws you close to Him, and saves your soul. God truly loves you more than you can imagine, and He does not want you to perish. He created you to know Him, be loved by Him, and spend eternity in Heaven. Come to Jesus this very moment, and He will fill you with His peace and love by the power of the Holy Spirit, and give you eternal life!

“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” -John 7:37-38

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” -John 8:12

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” -John 14:6

Always remember, Jesus loves you and He will save your soul!

Grace and peace to you all!